Trucking Collisions
The trucking accident attorneys at Alba & Straile PLLC represent clients who have suffered injuries due to a collision with a semi-tractor trailer or other heavy truck. While the trucking industry is indeed a lifeline of our country, the potential for deadly and devastating destruction is a huge concern. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported in 2017 that there were 32,000 accidents involving a large truck. Of that number, 27 were fatalities, 57 victims were incapacitated, and 1,053 sustained other injuries. Due to the disparity in size, a passenger vehicle that collides with a truck generally has a poor outcome. We have all seen the devastation that occurs when a heavy truck collides with an automobile.
Many of us underestimate the power of a motor vehicle, let alone the power of a heavy truck. Having the combined practice experience of more than three decades, the trucking collision attorneys at Alba & Straile, PLLC, understand motor vehicles’ powerful and destructive capability. Collisions involving trucks are of a unique kind. Trucking accidents are particularly devastating due to the sheer weight of a typical truck compared to the average mid-size car. This risk applies not only to tractor-trailers but also to any heavy truck. Other heavy trucks include dump trucks, emergency vehicles, utility trucks, passenger vans, and various service and recreational vehicles.
Just a Few Types of Truck Accident Cases we represent involve:
- Speeding
- Load shifting
- Driving under the influence
- Head-on collisions
- Jackknife & Roll Over
- Negligent hiring & supervision of drivers
- Vehicle component issues (such as brake failure)
- Truck driver fatigue
- RV or Recreational Vehicle accidents
- Poorly maintained trucks
- Aggressive driving
- Trucking Accident Negligence
Trucking accidents occur for various reasons. Although bad weather, unsafe road conditions, and even other motorists may contribute to a collision, many trucking accidents result from a truck driver’s negligence. Common causes include distracted driving, speeding, driver fatigue, and driving while impaired or under the influence. Driving under the influence is a criminal act and carries harsh penalties. In some cases, the truck driver’s employer may be held liable for failing to maintain a vehicle properly. They may employ underqualified drivers and allow employees to drive for periods longer than permitted by law.
Product Liability Claims
Sometimes trucking accidents can occur even when the motorists involved operate their vehicles reasonably and cautiously. In such cases, a faulty or defective component of a vehicle may be to blame. Examples of defective vehicle components include tires, braking systems, and steering mechanisms. The trucking collision attorneys of Alba & Straile PLLC have experience handling a diverse range of trucking accidents. We will investigate your accident to determine all possible causes, as well as all potential sources of compensation.
Numerous parties may share liability as defendants in a trucking accident, including:
- The truck driver and his employer
- Trucking company
- Truck owner
- Truck mechanic
- Cargo vendor and loader
- Truck and parts manufacturer
- Third-party vehicles that contributed to the accident
- The government or contractors responsible for highway design and maintenance
Depending on the nature of the accident, trucking collisions can result in catastrophic injury and even death. Minor accidents may involve debris that has either fallen from the truck or been projected from the roadway. More severe accidents can include roll-overs, jackknifing, and runaway trailers. In addition, there are significant dangers when the truck involved is carrying hazardous or flammable materials.
In Florida, a victim has four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim for a trucking accident. In the event of wrongful death, the decedent’s family has two years to file a claim. If you were injured or have lost a loved one in a trucking accident, it is crucial that you protect your legal rights. Because trucking accidents can involve state and federal regulations, an attorney explicitly experienced in trucking collisions is best equipped to provide effective representation. For example, ensuring the preservation of evidence in commercial trucking accidents is a crucial concern.
Alba & Straile PLLC has Proven Results in Achieving Settlements and Verdicts for their Clients
Let us put our decades of practice experience in civil litigation and criminal law to work for you. We are well-versed in state and federal regulations for commercial motor carriers. Alba & Straile, PLLC is focused on achieving client results. We are committed to providing our clients with compassion, attention to detail, and ease of attorney accessibility. We provide sound legal representation to effectively and efficiently address your accident-related needs. Contact Alba & Straile PLLC at (352) 371-9141 to schedule a consultation today.